Welcome to Healthy Incentives^SM 2012

Participating in Healthy Incentives^SM gives you lower out of pocket expenses on your medical benefits and supports your goals for good health. Since the program began in 2006, at least 90 percent of King County benefits eligible people have participated each year. After six years, we have the data to show that your efforts are paying off. You are older, but healthier, and getting greater value for your dollar. You are using health care in smarter ways and, as an organization, we have banded with others through the Puget Sound Health Alliance to begin to advance better health care in our region. Against a backdrop of rapidly escalating health care costs in our country, these achievements are truly remarkable.

Here’s a snapshot of what you have accomplished:

• King County was able to adjust the employee health care budget downward by a total of $61 million in 2011 and 2012 because of lower-than-expected health care costs. This helped prevent 200 layoffs and cuts to valuable public services.
  
  
• Participants have improved their health in 12 out of 14 areas. More than 500 people have quit smoking, and about 2,000 people who were overweight or obese lost at least five percent of their weight, which is enough to see health improvements.
  
  
• A study of the weight loss results of the Healthy Incentives^SM program was published in a national, peer-reviewed medical journal.
  
  
• People have changed the way they use health care so they are more in line with what research says works best. Higher use of generics has saved the county $3 million in the past two years, and an increase in the number of employees who have switched to  to Group Health, which has the highest quality ratings in the region, has proven to be less expensive for the county and the member. Since 2003 Group Health members have spent an average of $1,300 less each year on health care than KingCare^SM participants and cost the county $4,000 less per person per year.

To earn gold for your 2013 medical benefits:

1. Take the Wellness Assessment before  February 12, 2012.
   
   
2. Complete an individual action plan by June 29, 2012.

Take the Wellness assessment and choose an Individual Action plan at the:

Healthy Incentives^SM powered by WebMD website

This year’s Individual Action Plans include:

• Quit for Life Tobacco Cessation
  
  
• Weight Watchers at Work**
  
  
• Live Well Challenge
  
  
• WebMD online individual action plans (Exercise, Nutrition, Walking, Stress Management):
  
  
• Exercise Planner (help guide)
  
  
• Nutrition Planner (help guide)
  
  
• Walking Planner (help guide)
  
  
• Stress Management Planner  (help guide)
  
  
•  WebMD Contact Information 
  
  
• WebMD Frequently Asked Questions
  
  
  
• New! King County Parks Big Backyard Fitness Challenge
  
  
• New! Living Well With Chronic Conditions**

Not sure what Individual Action Plan is right for you? Check out our Lifestyle Profiles created to help choose an individual action plan that fits you.

** You will need your Healthy Incentives number for these Individual Action Plan. You can get your Healthy Incentives ID through peoplesoft by logging in and clicking on “My Benefits.